Scrooge cops are determined to make Christmas a miserable one for crooks in Redcar.

Operation Scrooge, now in its seventh year, has been launched by Langbaurgh police to target villains in the town centre.

Uniform and plain clothes officers have joined forces with shop security staff during the crackdown, which will run until January 6.

They will work closely with more than 70 retailers, who will use CCTV cameras to spot suspects who feature on a list of known offenders.

In addition, crooks who have flouted court fines will also be rounded up in daily raids and be forced to pay for their crimes.

Inspector Dave Mead, of Langbaurgh police, said: "We have already made nine arrests since Scrooge was launched on November 28.

"Through Shoplink we will be circulating pictures of our most prolific offenders. The Christmas patrols are an ongoing initiative which involve the police working with shop staff to make Redcar town centre a no go area for criminals.

"As a result, Redcar town centre will be a safer place for people to visit, shop, live and work and will become extremely unpleasant for those who come here to commit crime."

Squads of officers from Redcar police station, the district support unit and Police Community Support Officers will provide an increased presence on the streets.